New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-01
THE SPICES or ST PATRICK,S.
WORK ON THEM NOW UNDER WAY.

| Work the unfinished spire of ST. Pasricks Cstn
edral has been resumed In earnest large force Of
mon employed and still larger number will be
put at work within few days II is the intention Of
the contractors to push the job vigorously this
30 as to have both spires completed by August 1885,
at the latest Considerable preparatory work had to
De done this spring in frightening the scaodiug and
overhauling the hoistng machinery, but II has all
been accomplished and the actual work OF uding 70
fully under way.
Although it is nearly two years since work was
begun, the w0rkmen have done little more than finish
the octagonal lanterns-those immense bases fftv-
four feet in heightthat the square towers and
upon which the spires will rest They have only
reached the point where the spires begin to taper As
is generally known, the spires will be octagoaal and
In two stories, The first story will have rich mould
1ngs at the angles and the faces will be paneed with
traceries. The single columns will be terminated by
capitals supporting gablets with finals The second
will terminate in an elaborate foliage final carrying
the terminal crosses. which will be of copper The
spires will be lao feet in height, the lanterns, as
the total height of each tower and srrc $50 feet or
40 feet higher than Trinity steepe the next highest
In the city. They will probably be built up to the
end OF the second story this season. and finished next
year, asrcquired by the contract Provided this is
done, and there is every 10 Think that 1t will
be, the entire building will be completed just about
thirty years alter its cornerstone was laid.
This memorable ceremony-at least from Roman
Catholic point OF view took place on August 10.
1858. Archbishop Hughes laid the cor ner-stoue in
the presence of over 100, 900 people. Work the
structure pushed forward rapidly until the Re-
bellion broke out. Then subscriptions dropped of,
and the work had to be suspended The walls had
reached height Of about forty-fve ieet In this
finished state they remained until after the close Of
the war, and this was much OF the great building
the famous preate and founder OF it ever saw, snce
he died in January 1854.
He was succeeded by Archbishop, aiterward Cardi
ual, McCloskey, who had been his coadjutor for
twenty years. No sooner ha0 the new lead Of the
diocese been fairly installed than he turned his at
tent,on to the unfinished cathedral Under bis
getic yet conservative management the work was re-
sumed. Amid the many demands on Catholic charity
aud the pressing needs OF particular parishes the col
leoOns made Tor the edhce were sufficient to enable
operations to DO continued without Interruption Tho
work was paid tor entirely by voluntary contribu-
m s wepe Da id al
claims above that sum were paid by checks signed by
the Archbishop himself, who took the deepest interest
in the work From the first he made himself familiar
with the plans in their mnutest dera ana seldom
week passed that he did not visit the building several
times One OF the main objects OF his trip to Europe in
1874 and again IN 1878 was to secure affairs and sancl
tuary decorations.
His most successful effort to secure speedy COM
peon OF the structure the great fair which Mayor
Ely opened. The Archbishop made an appeal for
the opening night. The appeal proved remark
ably elective One hundred and seventy five thousand
dollars secured by this means. The Archbishop
was made Cardinal by Pope Plus TX. in 1875. On
May %. 1879, surrounded by thirty six arehbishops
and bishops, 400 priests and q vast multitude OF
people he dedicated the great ednce 10 tue nonor ana
service of the living God. He celebrated the solemn
mass with ViUar-Gen Quinn Assistant Priest,
Chancellor Preston First Assistant Deacon, the Rev.
Arthur j. Donnely Second Assistant Deacon, and
DR.. Edward McGlynn Deacon OF the Mass.
Nothing further done on the spires until two
years alo, when the contract was made with Mann IL
Co., OF Baltimore to finish them tor S2o0,OOO inside
Of tour years.
The cathedral was planned by james Renwick and
his associate, Mr.. Rodrigue The late William joyce
was the superintendent and builder assisted by ID. j.
Dwyer, who still has charge of the work The total
cost OF the building will reach about %, 100000.